Time has just been called on allocations for IPv4 address space, with the last two available ranges being assigned to APNIC, the RIR responsible for allocations in the Asian and Pacific regions.

These blocks are 39.x.x.x and 106.x.x.x. This leaves just five ranges unallocated, which triggers the IANA IPv4 exhaustion policy. At this stage, the five remaining /8 networks will be allocated equally, one to each of the RIRs.

Whilst this marks the end of IPv4 allocations from the IANA to RIRs, APNIC is estimating the allocations it has just received will last between three and six months, under current allocation rules, before stricter controls are put in place, and smaller ranges sold to ISPs. At this point, each ISP will be permitted to purchase only one further block, and a /16 will be held in reserve for possible future use. This means that ISPs still have time to test and prepare their networks in time for a full IPv6 rollout to their customers.

Update: As expected, the final five blocks have now been allocated. This afternoon AfriNIC received 102/8, APNIC were given 103/8, 104/8 went to ARIN, 179/8 was given to LACNIC, and finally, RIPE received 185/8. A ceremony and press conference was held this afternoon to mark the occasion, and discuss the transition to IPv6.